Automatic fire protection for deep fat fryer

ABSTRACT

A fire extinguishing means for deep fat frying machines having a vat containing cooking oil which includes an elongated member adapted to be secured to the rear wall of the machine, the elongated member further having associated therewith at one end thereof fusible links which when actuated trigger an arm that lifts the fry basket from the vat and simultaneously with the rise of the fry basket an extinguisher member rises from the liquid to cover the oil.

United States Patent Chiarelli AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTION FOR DEEP FAT FRYER Inventor: Carl Chiarelli, 20 Lake End Road,

Merrick, N.Y. 11556 Filed: June 16, 1971 Appl. No.: 153,513

US. Cl. ..99/ 337, 169/2 R, 220/88 A Int. Cl. ..A62c 35/00 Field 01 Search ..220/88 A; 99/337, 338, 403,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1970 Gold ..l69/2 R Haessler ..l69/l R Freedman ..l69/2R 1151 v 3,691,936 51 Sept. 19,1972

FOREIGN PATENTS oR APPLICATIONS 1,046,585 7/1953 France ..99/403 1,232,038 4/1960 France ..99/403 Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin Attorney-Edwin E. Greigg et al.

ABSTRACT A fire extinguishing means for deep fat frying machines having a vat containing cooking oil which includes an elongated member adapted to be secured to the rear wall of the machine, the elongated member further having associated therewith at one end thereof fusible links which when actuated trigger an arm that lifts the fry basket from the vat and simultaneously with the rise of the fry basket an extinguisher member rises from the liquid to cover the oil.

7 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEP 19 1912 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR CARL CHIARELLI BY W 6% ATTORNEY SHEU 2 [IF 2 PROTECTION FOR DEEP FAT FRYER This invention relates to improvements in deep fat frying machines and more particularly. is directed to apparatus for extinguishing fires which are often attendant with the operation of such equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years now, fires resulting from deep fat frying operations have resulted in considerable losses due to the difficulty in extinguishing this type of fire after the cooking oil, or fat, has exceeded its auto-ignition temperature. Automatic extinguishing systems are now mandatory in many areas of the country. Still, there continue to be losses due to (l) malfunction of the extinguishing system, (2) improperly installed systems, (3) inadequate capacity of automatic extinguishing system, and (4) where the automatic extinguishing system sometimes is not recharged after accidental discharge or for some other reason such as negligence.

THE INVENTION Accordingly, it a principal object of this invention to disclose a design for a new fire extinguishing system for deep fat fryers that is intended to be foolproof and would not malfunction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure attachable to existent equipment without necessitating modifications thereof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide fusible link mechanism into the structure that will be arranged to rapidly lift the deep fat fryer basket containing the food product from the vat if a fire condition takes place.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a reciprocable cover for the bath of frying oil contained in the vat.

The invention will be better understood and further objects and advantages will become more apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view of a deep fat frying machine taken partly in section and partly in elevation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the mechanism arranged to carry the fusible link and trip the basket release;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reticulated cover element for the bath of oil;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a cover element for the bath of oil;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device shown in cross section in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the spring mechanism for lifting the cover element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings, the deep fat frying apparatus is indicated generally at 10 with a portion of the customary exhaust hood shown at 12.

Referring at this time to the view in FIG. 2, an elongated tubular member 14 which will serve to reciprocably support the frying basket relative to the hot oil vat is suitably secured medially of the exterior AUTOMATIC FIRE rear wall of the vat housing, it being understood that provision is made for attachment to this housing of as many brackets as there are separate cooking vats. It is known that in modern cooking'methods, particularly on large scale operations there are multiple vats which are being used simultaneously where different products .are cooked and in various stages of completion. This tubular member, which is closed at the bottom by a closure member 16, is provided interiorly thereof with a coil spring 18 the helixes of which are in sliding engagement with the inner surface of wall 20 and the upper extremity of the spring is arranged to abut a planar member 22, this element in turn being secured to a post 24. As shown, this post includes a right angular integral portion 26 which is arranged to support the extension 28 provided on the fat frying basket 30.

Positioned within the tubular housing 14 at a predetermined position is a perforated disc-like element 32 through which the post 24 extends with the latter disc functioning as a guide means therefore.

It is to be understood that the tubular member 14 is provided with an elongated slot 34 through which the rod 26 is arranged to extend for attachment of the basket 30. Each edge of the slot 34 in the tubular member is adapted to have associated therewith a suitable roughened plastic, or other suitable material, which slidably engages the opposite surfaces of the rod 26 and thus functions as a braking means 34-34 to resist upward momentum of the arm 26, as will be now explained.

With further reference to FIG. 1, attention is directed to the upstanding tubular member 14 at the upper extremity of which is positioned normal thereto, an arm 36 that is arranged to overhang the vat, as shown. The fusible links 38 are associated with a relatively lightweight cable 40 which passes over the pulley or sheave 42 and downwardly of the tubular column where its terminal portion is secured to a pivotal latch means 44 that normally retains the disc 22 and its accompanying post 24 in a lowermost position at which time the arm 36 is substantially resting'on the edge or lip portion 46 of the tank or housing 10, thereby making it possible for the fry basket 30, together with its contents to be cooked to be immersed within the heated cooking liquid 48.

In this view of FIG. 1 is also well shown how the lip 46, which overhangs the cooking vessel 10, serves as a retaining means for the stainless steel reticulated screen 50 which is, under normal cooking conditions held down in the cooking oil against the relatively weak spring means 52 confined within sleeves 60 by the bottom wall of the fat frying basket 30, but which is caused to rise upwardly to the top of the hot oil by the force of the springs immediately upon a condition of fire, as will be explained in further detail later herein.

A further embodiment of this inventive concept is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIG. 4 there is shown in cross section the housing 10, the upper portion of which is provided with the right angular overhanging lip portion 46 which is adapted to function as a limit stop means for the surfacing of the perforated plate 54 which performs the same function as the reticulated screen fire stop means 50, described earlier. Further, this plate element (See FIG. 5) is arranged to be urged in an upward direction by the spring means 52 as explained with regard to the first of the channel 54 surrounding the main body portion.

55 (See FIG. 4) includesa series of perforations 56 which function to'facilitate the movement ofthe plate in the liquid contained in the vat, since the liquid can readily flow through these perforations as the plate moves in the liquid. Moreover, as also shown in this view, there are provided float means 600 in lieu of the springs 52 which can be availed of to cause the platelike element to rise to the top of the oil. In addition, also shown in this view, are a series of perforations 58 which are provided adjacent to the center line of the plate member, these having also been found to be useful in permitting rapid ingress and egress of the hot cooking liquid from one side of the plate to the other.

It is to be understood that the spring means 52 shown in both embodiments of thisinvention are positioned within longitudinally slotted support tubes or sleeves 60-60 that are provided in all four corners of the vat, this'being best shown in the plan view of FIG. 5.

cable 40 which extends over the pulley 42. Immediately upon the pivotal latch 44 being released, the post with its accompanying plate 22 will immediately rise in the housing, the braking means 34-34 preventing too rapid rise of the post 24 together with the basket and its contents. Simultaneously with the rise of the fat fry basket from the bath into the'position shown in dotted lines, the s ring means 52 push the screen r flat plate fry protec mg medium to the ,top of the lqllld, thus extinguishing the flames.

What is claimed is:

- l. A deep fat frying apparatus having a vat for cocking liquid, heating means for a cooking liquid contained therein and means for raising the products to be cooked out of the liquid, the further improvement comprising, elongated, rigid means mounted exteriorly of the frying apparatus adapted for reciprocal movement With the foregoing, disclosing the entire structure of the several embodiments of this invention, the operation will now be described. Assuming that a normal condition exists and a cooking operation is to be performed, the springs 52 have at that time elevated either the reticulated screen 50 or the metal plate 54 into an upper position where it rests substantially on a top of the liquid48 contained in the vat 10. At this time the arm carrying the fusible link is in the position shown in FIG. 1 and the spring 18 has now been urged downwardly and is firmly locked together with the edge portion of the bottom disc 22 supported on-the lower surface of the post 24 beneath the latching means. Further, from this view it will be seen that the fat fry basket now may be associated with the arm 26, so that the food contents of the basket will be beneath the level of the oil. Assuming now that since this arm 26 is resting just above the lip of the cooking vessel 10, the chef picks up a basket containing the food to be cooked and attaches it to the arm whereupon the products are immersed in the oil and the stainless steel reticulated screen element 50 is pushed downwardly against the force of the springs 52 to a position which will accommodate the cooking basket and during which time the screen will rest against the bottom of the fry basket 30. Of course, it is also to be understood that if, as shown in the second embodiment of this invention, the plate 54 is substituted for the reticulated screen 50 the same condition will exist since the plate being of light-weight construction can push the springs 52 downwardly so that the top of the plate will also be arranged to rest against the bottom of the fat fry basket.

In the event of a flash fire which is notorious around fat frying equipment of this general type, the fusible,

links will trigger the pivotal latch means through the relative to the vat, said means further including means for supporting a fry basket for reciprocal movement relative to the vat, fusible means associated with said rigid means serving to automatically raise the rigid means and the fry basket away from the vat upon a condition of fire, and further extinguishing means in the vat adapted to automatically rise above the cooking liquid upon withdrawal of said fry basket.

2. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means is spring loaded.

3. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means includes a tubular member within which the fry basket is slidably supported.

4. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means includes control means for attaining relative braking movement of the fry basketas it rises from the vat.

5. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said further extinguishing means is maintained beneath the top level of the liquid by the fry basket and rises to the top thereof simultaneously with the withdrawal of the fry basket from the vat.

6. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further extinguishing means is spring urged upwardly relative to the vat.

7. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further extinguishing means is adapted to float upwardly on the liquid in the vat.

8. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further extinguishing means is provided with interstices.

9. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further extinguishing means is constituted by a solid, relatively thin planar member, the perimeter of which is provided with liquid discharge channel means.

10. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further extinguishing means is urged upwardly in the liquid by float means. 

1. A deep fat frying apparatus having a vat for cooking liquid, heating means for a cooking liquid contained therein and means for raising the products to be cooked out of the liquid, the further improvement comprising, elongated, rigid means mounted exteriorly of the frying apparatus adapted for reciprocal movement relative to the vat, said means further including means for supporting a fry basket for reciprocal movement relative to the vat, fusible means associated with said rigid means serving to automatically raise the rigid means and the fry basket away from the vat upon a condition of fire, and further extinguishing means in the vat adapted to automatically rise above the cooking liquid upon withdrawal of said fry basket.
 2. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means is spring loaded.
 3. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means includes a tubular member within which the fry basket is slidably supported.
 4. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means includes control means for attaining relative braking movement of the fry basket as it riSes from the vat.
 5. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said further extinguishing means is maintained beneath the top level of the liquid by the fry basket and rises to the top thereof simultaneously with the withdrawal of the fry basket from the vat.
 6. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further extinguishing means is spring urged upwardly relative to the vat.
 7. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further extinguishing means is adapted to float upwardly on the liquid in the vat.
 8. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further extinguishing means is provided with interstices.
 9. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further extinguishing means is constituted by a solid, relatively thin planar member, the perimeter of which is provided with liquid discharge channel means.
 10. A deep fat frying apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further extinguishing means is urged upwardly in the liquid by float means. 